The Jocular Pugilists

The Jocular Pugilists
  • 5.0 (61)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Weekly

Two clueless individuals, who completely understand how misinformed they are‚ the Jocular Pugilists fearlessly explore their combined incompetence while seeking the truth behind the world's mysteries and its complicated occupants. With thirty-seven years of friendship, one global pandemic, three thousand miles between them, and countless ridiculous opinions—what could go wrong? They are the Jocular Pugilists.

  1. 6h ago

    The Unwritten Rules of Restaurants: Who’s the Rude One Here?

    Going out to dinner used to be simple: sit down, order food, eat, pay, leave. Apparently, we’ve made it much more complicated. What happens when your friend shows up 25 minutes late? Do you wait to order—or are the appetizers already coming? Should the person who ordered four martinis really expect everyone else to split the check evenly? Can you send back a steak that’s overcooked? What about a dish you simply don’t like? How much are we tipping now? Is 20% still good, or has society quietly moved the goalposts while nobody was looking? And perhaps the most important question of all: Can everybody PLEASE put their phones away for one meal? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas dive into the unwritten rules of restaurant etiquette—and discover that dining out may contain more social landmines than international diplomacy. They debate the behaviors that make servers crazy, customers furious, friends uncomfortable and dinner tabs considerably more complicated than they need to be. In this episode: The Great Check-Splitting Debate: Should everyone pay equally when one person ordered considerably more?The Late Friend Rule: How late is too late for a dinner reservation?Tipping in 2026: Is 20% still a good tip—or are expectations getting out of control?Sending Food Back: When you absolutely should—and when you probably shouldn't.Who’s Responsible When Dinner Goes Wrong: The server, the kitchen...or you?Phones at the Table: Harmless habit or the death of human conversation?Kids in Restaurants: What parents owe the other people trying to enjoy their dinner.The “When Harry Met Sally” Problem: How many substitutions are too many?Shared Appetizer Politics: Do you have to pay if you didn't eat any?Double-Dipping: Somehow we still need to discuss this.The Last Slice Rule: Can you just take it—or must you offer it around first?Ordering Right Before Closing: Technically legal. Morally questionable.Canceling Reservations at the Last Minute: Acceptable or unforgivable?Bringing Your Own Birthday Cake: Celebration...or restaurant faux pas?And the restaurant behavior that may tell you everything you need to know about a person: how they treat the staff.Along the way, Tomas recounts an extraordinary example of hospitality at Gramercy Tavern, Phil draws on his years working in restaurants, and both men slowly confront an uncomfortable possibility: They may be turning into the two old guys from The Muppet Show. So grab a table, put your phone away, don't steal the restaurant's pen and for the love of God, don't eat all the cheese off the nachos. Listen now to The Jocular Pugilists and decide for yourself: Which restaurant rules are legitimate etiquette—and which ones are just two increasingly cranky men yelling at the dining room? Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  2. Aug 20

    Why Are Things So Damn Expensive?

    Groceries. Housing. Insurance. Taxes. It seems like everything costs more—and everyone has an explanation for why. But what if we’re diagnosing the problem with the wrong data? In this episode, we dig into some of the most popular claims about CEO pay, worker wages, productivity, corporate profits, and stock buybacks. We look at how perfectly real statistics can be cherry-picked or framed to tell a misleading story—and how a bad diagnosis can lead to even worse economic prescriptions. The cost-of-living problem is real. The question is: Do we actually understand what’s causing it? Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  3. Aug 13

    Second Chances: Who Deserves One—and Who Absolutely Doesn’t?

    We love a good comeback story. Rocky gets knocked down? We’re cheering for him to get back up. But when someone hurts us? Suddenly, redemption gets a whole lot more complicated. This week on The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas tackle the messy, uncomfortable question: Does everyone deserve a second chance? From friendships and family to bosses, employees, celebrities—and even ourselves—the Pugilists debate where forgiveness ends and good judgment begins. Along the way, they get into: Why forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting what happenedThe difference between a real apology and the infuriating “I’m sorry you feel that way”When a mistake deserves forgiveness—and when it starts revealing someone’s characterWhy changed behavior matters more than wordsWhether you can love someone and still decide they don’t belong in your inner circleWhy disagreement doesn’t have to destroy a friendshipThe surprisingly difficult question of giving yourself another chanceWhether we can—or should—separate the artist from the artMel Gibson, Michael Jackson, Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp, Eric Clapton and the complicated world of celebrity redemptionBecause second chances probably shouldn’t be automatic. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  4. Aug 6

    When do you tell a friend the truth—even if it risks the friendship?

    From The Jocular Pugilists Archives Phil ran into some technical issues this week, so we’re reaching back into the archives to bring you one of our favorite conversations. Whether you’re hearing it again or discovering it for the first time, we hope you enjoy it. When is honesty helpfuly, and when does it do more harm than good? If you have a friend who’s become arrogant—or maybe you’ve wondered if you’re the one who needs the reality check—this episode explores the fine line between loyalty, honesty, and knowing when to speak up. Tomas and Phil share stories, debate the best approach, and ask whether telling a friend the truth can strengthen a friendship… or end it. It’s one of our favorite evergreen conversations, and it’s just as relevant today as when we first recorded it. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  5. Jul 30

    Technology That Brings Us Closer Together

    We're constantly told that technology is making us lonelier, more distracted, and less connected. But is that the whole story? In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Tomas and Phil explore the other side of the conversation. From sharing life's everyday moments with family across town or across the world to reconnecting with old friends, discovering new communities, and staying close to loved ones through photos, video calls, and instant communication, technology has also brought us together in ways that were once unimaginable. Yes, there are downsides—but what if we've been overlooking one of the greatest benefits of the digital age? Join us for an optimistic conversation about the apps, devices, and innovations that don't replace human connection—they help create it. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  6. Jul 23

    Why Rocky Is STILL the Greatest Underdog Movie Ever Made

    Nearly 50 years later, Rocky still inspires audiences around the world—not because Rocky Balboa wins, but because he refuses to quit. In this episode of The Jocular Pugilists, Phil and Tomas dive deep into the film that changed Sylvester Stallone's life and became one of Hollywood's greatest underdog stories. From Stallone refusing to sell his script unless he starred in it, to the guerrilla filmmaking techniques that created iconic scenes, they unpack why Rocky remains a cinematic masterpiece. But this conversation goes beyond movie trivia. They explore the emotional core of Rocky, the Hero's Journey, the unforgettable relationship between Rocky and Adrian, Burgess Meredith's incredible performance as Mickey, and why modern movies rarely capture the same authenticity. If you've ever cheered for an underdog—or found yourself tearing up during Rocky's final fight—this episode is for you. In this episode: • Why Rocky became the ultimate underdog story • The incredible true story behind Sylvester Stallone writing the script in just days • Why Stallone turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars to protect his vision • How Rocky changed the image of Italian-Americans in Hollywood • Hidden filmmaking secrets behind the famous training montage • Why Rocky losing the fight actually makes the movie better • The emotional genius of the final scene • The Hero's Journey and why Rocky still resonates today • Rocky vs modern superhero films • Our favorite moments, performances, and behind-the-scenes stories Whether you're a lifelong Rocky fan or discovering the film for the first time, this conversation celebrates one of cinema's greatest achievements. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  7. Jul 16

    Learning to Fly: Watching Our Children Take Flight

    The Next Chapter A trip to Savannah turned into something neither of us expected. Watching Gabriel begin his journey at SCAD and prepare for his solo trip to Japan made us realize that one of life’s greatest challenges isn’t change itself—it’s learning to embrace it. As parents, we spend years teaching our children to become independent, but no one tells you how bittersweet it feels when that day finally arrives. This week, we explore the seasons of life, why every new chapter requires letting go of the last one, and how growth often means saying goodbye—not with sadness, but with gratitude. Whether you’re watching your children grow up, changing careers, moving to a new place, or simply entering a new stage of life, this conversation is about recognizing when it’s time to stop holding on and start looking forward. Sometimes the hardest part of life isn’t turning the page. It’s realizing you’re already in the next chapter. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

  8. Jul 9

    The Music We're Embarrassed to Love

    Journey, Styx, Hall & Oates, ABBA, Toto, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Steely Dan, John Williams, Bugs Bunny classical music—nothing is safe when The Jocular Pugilists take on the hilarious shame and secret joy of guilty pleasure music. In this episode, Phil and Tomas confess the songs, bands, riffs, ballads, and movie scores they once hid from friends but still can’t bring themselves to turn off. From polished ’80s pop and yacht rock to prog, classic rock, arena anthems, shred guitar, and cartoon-fueled classical music appreciation, the guys unpack why musicians can be the harshest judges—and why great songs don’t always need to be “cool” to be unforgettable. A witty, nostalgic, and musically nerdy conversation about taste, embarrassment, production, guilty pleasures, and the earworms that win no matter how hard we fight them. Let us know what you think. Email Phil or Tomas at:  thejocularpugilists@gmail.com And check out our website at: thejocularpugilists.com

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5
out of 5
61 Ratings

About

Two clueless individuals, who completely understand how misinformed they are‚ the Jocular Pugilists fearlessly explore their combined incompetence while seeking the truth behind the world's mysteries and its complicated occupants. With thirty-seven years of friendship, one global pandemic, three thousand miles between them, and countless ridiculous opinions—what could go wrong? They are the Jocular Pugilists.

Information

  • Creator
    The Jocular Pugilists
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Jocular Pugilists
  • Show Website
    The Jocular Pugilists